Ottawa family says young boy was pushed by his bus driver

Ottawa police investigating, plus school board and transit body

Ottawa police are investigating a family’s complaint that the driver of a school bus pushed their young boy two weeks ago.

The student, who attends École Michaëlle Jean in the west Ottawa neighbourhood of Barrhaven, was shoved by the driver inside the bus on Jan. 28, according to his mother.

According to Radio-Canada, the four-year-old boy then fell backward and hit his head.

Martin Bertrand, superintendent for the French-language public school board which covers Ottawa, said there are investigations looking into the incident at the school, board and transportation consortium levels.

“It’s important to reassure all parents we take security on board all our buses very seriously,” he said Tuesday.

Bertrand said the young student had an older brother on the bus at the time of the incident.

Driver suspended with pay

The transportation director of the Consortium de transport scolaire d’Ottawa, which oversees transportation for eastern Ontario’s public and Catholic French-language school boards, said drivers go through a series of checks before they’re hired.

“The first thing the driver has to do is produce the criminal check report, after that there’s an interview done by the operator and approval of their medical certificate,” said Stephen Taylor.

“After that they have to pass the training, there’s about 60 hours of training that’s done, 30 hours on the buses and 30 hours inside.”

Taylor added drivers must refresh their training and criminal record check every year.

The driver, whose name is not being released, has been suspended with pay.

Taylor said the final disciplinary decision rests with the consortium.